Katie Cotton, Apple’s vice president of world-wide communications and the powerful gatekeeper to co-founder Steve Jobs and current Chief Executive Tim Cook, is leaving after 18 years at the company.

In an email, Cotton said her decision was motivated by her desire to spend more time with her two children. “This is very hard for me. I have been here for almost two decades and Apple is part of my heart and soul,” she said.

Cotton headed up communications for Apple, one of the most secretive companies in the technology world, during a period of incredible growth fueled by the introduction of the iPhone and iPad. She is one of the driving forces behind Apple’s carefully orchestrated product launches. Her public relations team aggressively controlled the message around new key products and maintained an air of mystery around the company and the brand.

“Katie has given her all to this company for over 18 years. She has wanted to spend more time with her children for some time now. We are really going to miss her,” Apple spokesman Steve Dowling said. Apple declined to say when she would be leaving or if a replacement has been selected.